John R. Barnard

John Russell Barnard age 69 of Scottville went home to be with his Lord and Savior surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 11, 2025. John was born on January 24, 1956 in Ferndale, MI the son of Russell and Margaret (Owen) Barnard and graduated from Troy High School with the class of 1974. While a student at Troy, John was involved in music where he played drums in the band, a skill he would continue to use as a member of various bands around the Troy area. John loved Tennis and as a member of the school tennis team he was a champion singles and doubles player. Years later John continued his education by earning his Associates Degree from West Shore Community College in 2018. John met Karen Svacha when they were introduced by his sister Martha. They married on May 5, 1984 in Troy and have celebrated 41 years together and welcomed their beloved daughter Jenni into their family in 1986. John worked in landscaping most of his life. He enjoyed the work so much that he started his own landscaping company, KB Landscaping in 1984 in Troy. After many visits to the Mason County area, John and Karen decided to move to Scottville in 1998 where he continued his landscaping company serving the Mason and Manistee county communities. They were faithful members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ludington. John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who put his family first. A very giving person, John was always willing to help others. In his spare time he continued to enjoy the love of music by playing his guitar. He also enjoyed camping with his family and being outdoors in the fresh air of Mason County which drew him here. He had a love of horses and was able to share that love with his daughter who showed their horses in 4-H competitions. John’s greatest joy was found in his faith and in the presence of his family. John will be greatly missed by his wife Karen; his daughter Jenni (Tili) Hysesani; his grandchildren who were his pride and joy: Henri, Vivian, Charles, and Caroline; his sisters Marie (Mark) Koski and Martha (Tim) Mouch; his father-in-law Alfred Svacha; his sister-in-law Kathy Herty; his nephews and nieces and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Russell and Margaret, his grandmother Frances Owen, and his mother-in-law Elizabeth Svacha. Funeral services will be held for John at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 20 at Cornerstone Baptist Church with Pastor Ryan White officiating. Burial will take place at Fountain Cemetery. Friends may meet with his family on Saturday from 1:00 pm until time of services at the church. "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." (1 Thess 4:13-14)